The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers will take the field on Monday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.
Toronto (54-45 SU and 44-54 RL) is starting right-hander José Berríos. The 29-year-old is 8-7 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 20 outings this season.
Los Angeles (57-40 SU and 54-42 RL) is countering with righty Michael Grove. The 26-year-old is 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 12 appearances (9 starts).
The Dodgers are -130 moneyline favorites and the game total is 9.5 runs scored.
The Blue Jays are nine games over .500 and 6.5 games out of first in the AL East. Following consecutive series losses to San Diego and Seattle, the three-game set with Los Angeles presents a significant opportunity for Canada's team.
Toronto scores 4.48 runs per game (16th) and hits .261 (6th) with a .747 OPS (9th). It's hit 111 home runs (16th) and stolen 72 bases (15th) in 2023. The Blue Jays pitching staff sports a 3.85 ERA (8th) and a 1.25 WHIP (9th) with 47 quality starts (3rd).
The 73rd homer in Seattle for the Derby Champ ?? #PLAKATA pic.twitter.com/5MKnxfaBCd
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 22, 2023
Berríos will take the hill for the visitors in game one. He lost his last outing versus San Diego but pitched pretty well, holding the Padres to two runs with nine strikeouts in six innings. The eighth-year pro has surrendered just three total runs with 19 Ks in his three July starts (18.1 IP). Berríos sports a 113:34 K:BB ratio in 2023.